Emergency Rent Assistance in St. Louis: How to Get Help Paying Rent
Revised July 13, 2026
How do I get help paying rent in Missouri?
In Missouri, get help paying rent by first calling 2-1-1 or the St. Louis Housing Resource Hotline at (314) 802-5444 to be matched with open rent-assistance funds. The main local programs are the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC, 314-446-4438), the City and County Departments of Human Services, the Salvation Army, and the Urban League’s eviction-prevention counseling. Funding is limited and opens in cycles, so apply early, to more than one program at once, with your ID, lease, and past-due notice ready.
Keep reading ↓Falling behind on rent is one of the most stressful places a person can be — and one of the most common. A car repair, a missed shift, a medical bill, and suddenly the month comes up short. If that’s you right now, take a breath: St. Louis has real programs that pay back rent and stop evictions, and this guide walks you straight to them. And if you’re helping someone else — a family member, a friend, a tenant, a client — you’re in the right place too.
The fastest path: call 2-1-1 or the St. Louis Housing Resource Hotline at (314) 802-5444 to be matched with open rent-assistance funds near you. The main local programs are run by the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC), the City and County Departments of Human Services, the Salvation Army, and the Urban League. Funding is limited and opens in cycles, so apply early, to more than one program, with your paperwork ready. Here’s exactly how.
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Start Here: Get Matched to Open Funds
You don’t have to figure out which program has money right now — these lines do it for you:
- 2-1-1 (United Way) — free, 24/7; tell them you need rent help and your ZIP code, and they’ll route you to open programs.
- St. Louis Housing Resource Hotline: (314) 802-5444 — connects city and county residents to housing and eviction-prevention resources.
- St. Louis County call center: (314) 806-0910 — for county residents to check open funding portals.
St. Louis Rent-Assistance Programs
These local organizations help pay back rent and prevent eviction. Because funding opens and closes as money runs out, call several — don’t stop at one:
- Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) — rent and utility assistance for county residents; call (314) 446-4438 (offices in Overland and beyond).
- City of St. Louis Department of Human Services — emergency assistance for city residents facing eviction or behind on rent, covering back rent and utilities.
- The Salvation Army (Midland Division) — rent and utility assistance based on income limits and Fair Market Rent; contact your local corps.
- Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis — HUD-certified housing counseling and eviction/foreclosure prevention through its Housing Empowerment program.
- Beyond Housing — housing support and stabilization for the 24:1 community and beyond; (314) 533-0600.
- Doorways — housing assistance for people affected by HIV/AIDS; (314) 535-1919.
- Franciscan Connection — limited help (up to about $75) for ZIP codes 63111, 63116, and 63118; (314) 773-8485.
- Missouri DMH Rental Assistance Program (RAP) — one-time-per-year help for eligible individuals connected to behavioral-health services.
Rent Help by Where You Live
Which program helps you depends heavily on your address — the metro is split across two states and many jurisdictions, and funds are usually tied to residency. Start with the one that matches where you live:
- City of St. Louis — City Department of Human Services emergency assistance, plus CAASTLC and the Urban League.
- St. Louis County (Hazelwood, Overland, Ballwin, University City, Crestwood, and beyond) — County DHS call center (314) 806-0910 and CAASTLC (314) 446-4438.
- St. Charles County (St. Charles, O’Fallon, Lake Saint Louis, Cottleville) — the Community Council of St. Charles County and Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Service (636) 441-1302 are the go-to for rent and utility help.
- Jefferson and Franklin Counties — the East Missouri Action Agency (EMAA) serves rural MO residents south and west of the metro.
- Metro East, Illinois (East St. Louis, Granite City, Edwardsville, Cahokia Heights) — the St. Clair County and Madison County Community Action agencies handle Illinois rent and energy assistance; call 2-1-1 for the right office.
Not sure which applies? 2-1-1 sorts it out for you in one call, no matter which side of the river you’re on.
Don’t Forget Utility Assistance
Rent and utilities often come due together, and getting your gas and electric covered frees up cash for rent. Missouri’s LIHEAP / Energy Assistance program (applied for through your local Community Action agency) helps with heating and cooling bills, and both Ameren Missouri and Spire run their own assistance and budget-billing programs. Ask about utility help in the same call — many agencies process rent and energy assistance together.
Help for Specific Situations
Some of the most reliable help is targeted to a situation rather than a ZIP code:
- Veterans — the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program provides rapid rehousing and rent help; the St. Patrick Center administers SSVF locally.
- Survivors of domestic violence — ALIVE (314-993-2777) and the Women’s Safe House offer emergency housing and can fast-track safety-related assistance.
- Families with children — ask about Temporary Assistance (TANF) and school social workers, who often know quiet local funds.
- Seniors and people with disabilities — the Aging Ahead area agency and disability service organizations can layer help on top of the programs above.
What You’ll Need to Apply
Having your documents ready makes the difference between getting help this week and waiting weeks. Gather what you can:
- Photo ID for the lease holder (and IDs or names for everyone in the household)
- Your lease and a current past-due or eviction notice from your landlord
- Proof of income (recent pay stubs, benefits letters) — or an explanation if you have none
- Your landlord’s name, address, and a W-9 or payment details (most programs pay the landlord directly)
Missing something? Don’t let that stop you from calling — case managers help people replace documents and work around gaps every day.
If You’re Facing Eviction, Act Now
Time matters enormously in an eviction. The moment you get a notice: don’t move out on your own (you may have more time and rights than you think), respond to any court date (missing it almost always means you lose), and get free legal help. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (lsem.org) and the courts’ eviction-prevention resources can represent or advise you at no cost if you’re income-eligible. Pairing a rent-assistance application with legal help is the strongest way to keep your home.
The Honest Reality — and How to Beat It
Here’s the straight talk: rent-assistance money in St. Louis is limited, and the large pandemic-era programs have mostly wound down, so funds open in cycles and run out. That doesn’t mean help is gone — it means strategy matters. Apply to several programs at once rather than waiting on one. Call 2-1-1 weekly, since new funding opens regularly. Keep talking with your landlord and get any payment agreement in writing. And treat the documents above like a go-bag — ready to send the moment a portal opens. Persistence, not luck, is what gets most families across the line.
Need a Deposit or First Month, Not Back Rent?
Not every rent crisis is about being behind — sometimes the barrier is getting into a place. If you have housing lined up but can’t cover the security deposit or first month, ask agencies specifically about rapid rehousing and deposit assistance. CAASTLC, the St. Patrick Center, and homeless-services programs coordinated through the St. Louis Continuum of Care can sometimes cover move-in costs for people leaving shelters, doubling up with family, or fleeing unsafe situations. Say plainly what you need — “first month and deposit” is a different funding bucket than “back rent,” and naming it gets you to the right program faster.
Know Your Rights as a Missouri Renter
Knowing what a landlord can and can’t do keeps you from being pushed out unfairly while you line up help. In Missouri, a landlord generally cannot lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off your utilities to force you to leave — only a court and a sheriff can carry out an eviction, and only after a judge’s order. You’re entitled to proper written notice before an eviction case is even filed, and you have the right to show up to court and tell your side. If you paid a security deposit, the landlord must return it (minus lawful deductions) within the timeframe the law requires after you move out. If a landlord tries an illegal “self-help” eviction, call the police and contact Legal Services of Eastern Missouri right away — these protections exist precisely so a hard month doesn’t cost you your home overnight.
What Happens After You Apply
Knowing the rhythm of the process takes some of the fear out of it. Here’s the typical path:
- Intake. You call or apply online and answer questions about your household, income, and situation. This is where 2-1-1 or the hotline points you to an agency with open funds.
- Documents. The agency requests your ID, lease, past-due notice, and your landlord’s payment info. Sending these quickly is the single biggest thing that speeds approval.
- Review and landlord contact. A caseworker verifies eligibility and reaches out to your landlord, since most programs pay the landlord directly rather than paying you.
- Payment. Approved funds go to the landlord, and you get confirmation. Timelines range from days to a few weeks depending on funding and volume.
Throughout, keep your phone on and respond fast — a missed callback can send limited funds to the next family in line.
Protect Yourself While You Wait
Desperation attracts scammers, so guard against them: legitimate rent-assistance programs never charge a fee to apply, never ask for gift cards, and never guarantee approval up front. Apply only through 2-1-1, your Community Action agency, established nonprofits, or official city and county offices. Meanwhile, communicate with your landlord in writing and keep copies of everything — a documented good-faith effort to pay can matter in housing court. And if the stress is overwhelming, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is there any hour; a housing crisis is survivable, and you are not alone in it.
Need rent help now? Call 2-1-1 or the St. Louis Housing Resource Hotline at (314) 802-5444, and reach the Community Action Agency (CAASTLC) at (314) 446-4438. Also see our guides to free food, income-based housing, and all St. Louis help resources.
Run a program that helps? If your nonprofit or ministry offers rent, housing, or financial assistance, list it on St Louis Near Me Directory so families searching for help can find you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get help with rent in St Louis County?
County residents can call the St. Louis County call center at (314) 806-0910 to check open funding, and contact the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) at (314) 446-4438 for rent and utility assistance. Calling 2-1-1 also routes you to whatever county programs currently have funds. Have your ID, lease, and past-due notice ready.
How to get immediate rent assistance?
Call 2-1-1 and the St. Louis Housing Resource Hotline (314-802-5444) first — they match you to programs with open funds today. Apply to several at once (CAASTLC, the Salvation Army, the City or County Department of Human Services), and if you have an eviction court date, get free legal help from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri right away. Speed and applying broadly matter most.
Is Missouri rental assistance still available?
Yes, but it looks different now. The large federal pandemic program (ERAP) has mostly ended, so today’s help comes through local agencies — CAASTLC, the Salvation Army, the Urban League, the City and County Departments of Human Services, and Missouri’s DMH Rental Assistance Program — whose funds open in cycles. Call 2-1-1 regularly, since availability changes week to week.
What is the maximum rent assistance I can receive?
It varies by program, your income, and available funding — some offer one month or a set dollar amount, others cover several months of back rent up to Fair Market Rent. Smaller programs (like Franciscan Connection) may cap help around $75, while agency programs can cover more. Ask each program what it offers; applying to several can add up to what you need.
How can I help someone facing eviction?
Help them call 2-1-1 and apply to several rent programs the same day, and gather their documents (ID, lease, past-due notice, proof of income). Make sure they respond to any court date and connect with free legal aid (Legal Services of Eastern Missouri). Sometimes the biggest help is sitting with them through the calls and reminding them this is survivable.
Written by a dedicated team of St. Louis locals who live, work, and play right here in the St. Louis metro. Founder Lane Forman and team are committed to building the region’s most trusted directory by verifying listings and connecting local businesses with loyal customers across Missouri and Illinois.